Trip Report Tu in ‘25

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tu in ‘25

These lyrics came to mind when I thought about my trip reporting. (I also thought, Here we go AGAIN but the above sounds much more poignant.) It’s now that time of year when my Disney trips are frequent. And this Disney Senior loves sharing her visits with y’all because your engagement makes it fun!

Yes, there will be stuff that’s the same. Yes, there will be surprises (too soon for the reveals). And yes, there will be sun rises!

Spring break countdown is at 4 days.

Since this intro needs a picture, here are Tu.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Em and I had two goals this morning - to see The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure the “reimagined” version of the attraction we’d always enjoyed; and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After which replaced Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.

The timing worked out for us to see Little Mermaid first. My favorite part of the original show was the “Under the Sea” opening number with the dancing puppets - fun, engaging and very entertaining! Thanks to the lasers, I also liked the sensation of being under the sea and looked forward to Flotsam and Jetsam’s appearance. Thus I was expecting an even better version of the original that we were so fond of.

Disappointment hit the moment we entered the holding room for the theater. What once looked liked this:

Now looks like this:

A room devoid of all props or anything of interest that sets the stage for what we were about to see.

To avoid spoilers for this new show I took only one picture inside the theater.

While the former stage may have been plain, the effects inside the theater more than made up for it. Those effects are now gone. So are the majority of the puppets (and puppeteers), replaced by poor-quality CGI. In fact all the graphics are embarrassingly poor considering the technology available in 2025.

I was not a fan of the remixed song choices with the exception of the additional “Kiss the Girl” scene which was very well done.

But one scene does not a good show make.

Em and I made no comments to each other until after the performance. “That was a one and done,” we both agreed.

I’m sure guests who are unfamiliar with the original show will find the new show entertaining. Kids will enjoy it. And hallelujah that DHS has another attraction open - with the added plus of being a people-eater.

It just wasn’t our thing.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Disappointment hit the moment we entered the holding room for the theater. What once looked liked this:

Now looks like this:

A room devoid of all props or anything of interest that sets the stage for what we were about to see.

I had the same thoughts when I first saw pictures of the “updated” holding area. I guess today’s shrimping nets are made with threads of gold? Any character and life that room once had is gone. Although I will have to disagree with you on one thing. It did still set the stage for what y’all ended up experiencing………….disappointment

 

[littleroo]

That is disappointing to hear about The Little Mermaid. I nearly dropped my phone when I saw the "new" holding room! Wow Disney really went all out and spent some money on that!! I appreciate the picture so i wouldn't be in shock when i walked in! Thankfully Brinley won't know the difference.

Let's not tell too many people about The Little Mermaid isn't worth it! Like you said, it is a people eater.

 

[Songbird76]

Hollywood & Vine had a bad reputation for many years and I never understood why. The buffet meals I’ve eaten there were on par with other Disney buffets.

I wonder if the restaurant receives holiday decorations when Mickey and Minnie are in their Christmas attire?


We’ve done Boma many times for dinner but never for breakfast. Years ago I read numerous reviews that the breakfast was a must-do and I intended to make reservations but never did - probably because it is a bit out of the way like you said.

Well I love Boma's dinner buffet too. Their butternut squash soup is soooo good. We found a copycat recipe when we got home because we didn't want to have to wait 5-10 years before we could get it again. But it's probably best I don't have a recipe for their sticky buns or the bread pudding. I would eat way TU much of it.

 

[Swissmiss]

Well I love Boma's dinner buffet too. Their butternut squash soup is soooo good. We found a copycat recipe when we got home because we didn't want to have to wait 5-10 years before we could get it again. But it's probably best I don't have a recipe for their sticky buns or the bread pudding. I would eat way TU much of it.

Oh could you share the copycat recipe for the soup?

 

[Tony the Tigger]

As we were leaving Hollywood & Vine, @riverside came up behind us and surprised Em and me!

That tracking device really works!

 

[Tuvalu]

I had the same thoughts when I first saw pictures of the “updated” holding area. I guess today’s shrimping nets are made with threads of gold? Any character and life that room once had is gone. Although I will have to disagree with you on one thing. It did still set the stage for what y’all ended up experiencing………….disappointment

 

[Tuvalu]

That is disappointing to hear about The Little Mermaid. I nearly dropped my phone when I saw the "new" holding room! Wow Disney really went all out and spent some money on that!! I appreciate the picture so i wouldn't be in shock when i walked in! Thankfully Brinley won't know the difference.

Let's not tell too many people about The Little Mermaid isn't worth it! Like you said, it is a people eater.

I'm sure Brinley will love it.

 

[Tuvalu]

Well I love Boma's dinner buffet too. Their butternut squash soup is soooo good. We found a copycat recipe when we got home because we didn't want to have to wait 5-10 years before we could get it again.

Oh could you share the copycat recipe for the soup?

Our favorite is the corn chowder....soooo good!!
And I know you requested the butternut squash recipe @Swissmiss, but I had this handy.

 

[Swissmiss]

Our favorite is the corn chowder....soooo good!!
And I know you requested the butternut squash recipe @Swissmiss, but I had this handy.

View attachment 867275

This one sounds good too! Thanks!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Little Mermaid let out in time for us to catch the Villains show.

Or so we thought.

We made the walk back down Sunset Blvd. with the sun beating down on us. We were sweating buckets by the time we reached the entrance. You can see a CM holding the end of the line sign behind a girl in a red shirt on the mid-left side of this picture.

What we didn't know at the time was that was the holding pen for the next show. Guests waiting for the current show were in a holding pen close to the entrance doors. The temperature in the courtyard was seriously brutal, and the small, umbrella-like coverings did not do much to protect guests from the sun.

But we were determined to complete our goal so we got in line. Thankfully when the theater doors opened and the guests in the first holding pen moved inside, we got to move forward into the next holding pen. And we ended up very close to the entrance where there were BIG fans blowing on us, so we did not end up melting into the pavement like the Wicked Witch of the West. (Who is not one of the Villains in the show. )

Not only that, but as some of the first in the theater we were able to find seats close to the stage. I cannot begin to describe how wonderful it was to finally sit down in air-conditioned comfort!!

Once again no show spoilers - just pics of the stage.

Our verdict?

Oh my goodness, did we LOVE this show!!! Such incredibly talented actors who knew how to work an audience. Fun for all ages (not scary) with a different outcome each show, so there's rewatch-ability.

"You can tell where most of Disney's entertainment budget went," Em said. "This show is top-notch."

I couldn't agree more.

 

[LadyBelle]

Everything I saw made me think it wouldn’t be that great. Glad to know it’s better than what I saw!

 

[LadyBelle]

Neither Em nor I felt like lunching at a counter service restaurant. I was able to book an 11:20 ADR at The Plaza.

I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t you have an awful experience on your last visit with Woody?

Indeed we did. But I was willing to roll the dice again to avoid having to eat a quick service meal.

Happily, today’s visit was the polar opposite of last month. I checked in online on our way down Main Street and immediately received the “Your table is ready,” notification - and we hadn’t even made it past Starbucks! We were seated immediately and our server was right there waiting for us.

The only downside was we were given a table next to the saloon doors. However Em was not injured and I had an entertaining view of the kitchen.

View attachment 866825

View attachment 866826

We shared the triple turkey club which was delicious (and a perfect choice on a hot day.)

View attachment 866827

Excellent extra-thick chocolate shakes for dessert.
View attachment 866828

Our server checked on us regularly, kept our water glasses filled and was prompt handling our bill. It was a delightful lunch!

I sat on the (picture right) other side of that door in 2019. No injuries either.

 

[Songbird76]

Oh could you share the copycat recipe for the soup?

Sweet & Creamy Butternut Squash Soup from Disney's Boma Recipe - Food.com

This recipe is beyond fantastic - it's from Disney's Boma - Flavors of Africa Restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. There are two versions of this

www.food.com

 

[Swissmiss]

Sweet & Creamy Butternut Squash Soup from Disney's Boma Recipe - Food.com

This recipe is beyond fantastic - it's from Disney's Boma - Flavors of Africa Restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. There are two versions of this

www.food.com

Thanks!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Em and I exited the icy theater into humidity soup.

“You know what would taste good right about now?” she asked me. “A frozen Coke.”

Resourceful mama knew just where to get one. Peevy’s Polar Pipleline.

Say what?

Yeah I had no idea that’s the actual name of this outdoor stand that sells refreshing frozen drinks (assuming you can avoid the inevitable cold headache!)

We scrambled to a mostly-shady bench to (slowly!) quench our thirst.

Boy, did these hit the spot! And the people-watching was entertaining.

I opened the app to check wait times.

Yikes! We decided our afternoon would be better spent in the cool waters of Boulder Ridge pool.

 

[radiorae]

Frozen Coke is one of my favorite Disney treats! It definitely hits different when it’s a billion degrees out I almost always stop there (I had no idea it was called Percy’s Polar Pipeline) and at the Refreshment Outpost in Epcot to get one!

 

[Tuvalu]

Frozen Coke is one of my favorite Disney treats! It definitely hits different when it’s a billion degrees out I almost always stop there (I had no idea it was called Peevy’s Polar Pipeline) and at the Refreshment Outpost in Epcot to get one!

FTFY.

A Google search just revealed this fun fact: A character in the 1991 film The Rocketeer, Ambrose “Peevy”Peabody is a mechanic who discovers a rocket pack and helps Cliff Secord become The Rocketeer.

Raise your hand if you’ve seen the movie.

Anyone?

Anyone?

 

[radiorae]

FTFY.

A Google search just revealed this fun fact: A character in the 1991 film The Rocketeer, Ambrose “Peevy”Peabody is a mechanic who discovers a rocket pack and helps Cliff Secord become The Rocketeer.

Raise your hand if you’ve seen the movie.

Anyone?

Anyone?

Tuva-correct prevails when Auto-correct fails! I did not know the Rocketeer connection. I think I just figured it was some old-timey Hollywood name….

And do I get credit if I fell asleep half way through? (I felt so bad too — it was my friend’s favorite Disney movie and they were trying to share it with me, but i had stayed up late the night before and was soooo tired)

 

[lindawdw]

You're not the only person that felt let down by the new Little Mermaid Show as I've read other reviews that also said it was a one and done. I'm so happy to hear that The Villain's show was such a success and can't wait to see it in October!!! I never even realized that frozen coke place was there but will have to partake next time I'm in DHS! The Boulder Ridge pool sounds like the perfect afternoon to me with that incredible heat you were experiencing!